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Breaking of Godslost #.0
Distant Shadow
"Small, angry, lost; and saviour of the North."
The Empire has dominated for six hundred years, demanding obedience. Any objection, however faint, and the fist comes down hard. It is the Imperial way.
In amongst the fading embers of the charred North is a boy. Just a boy. But Alidinia is a survivor, something few others can claim where the fist of the Empire is concerned. And he is also a boy with a grudge. The Empire killed his ma, and that means only one thing. He would have to kill the Emperor.
But standing on the precipice, he is turned from his vengeance by those who would save him. He objects and he fights at every turn, but from the depths of despair, fragments of something emerge. Answers. The why of his ma and the why of his life. Hope blooms out of hopelessness.
And yet the Empire is never far away; ready to crush even the faintest uprising. He is alone again, and the North needs saving. By the sounds of it, it is all down to him.
The Empire has dominated for six hundred years, demanding obedience. Any objection, however faint, and the fist comes down hard. It is the Imperial way.
In amongst the fading embers of the charred North is a boy. Just a boy. But Alidinia is a survivor, something few others can claim where the fist of the Empire is concerned. And he is also a boy with a grudge. The Empire killed his ma, and that means only one thing. He would have to kill the Emperor.
But standing on the precipice, he is turned from his vengeance by those who would save him. He objects and he fights at every turn, but from the depths of despair, fragments of something emerge. Answers. The why of his ma and the why of his life. Hope blooms out of hopelessness.
And yet the Empire is never far away; ready to crush even the faintest uprising. He is alone again, and the North needs saving. By the sounds of it, it is all down to him.
142 pages, Paperback
Published October 29, 2022
13 people want to read
About the author
James Hockley
12 books27 followersHey there - so this is where I introduce myself. Umm... [stands in corner with eyes to the floor].
Well, that's what the introvert in me says, but I'm sure we can do better than that, can't we?
First up, there's a picture of me right up there, which is a good start. And yes, I’m the one at the back – where the arrow is pointed. The cut-off mop of blond hair at the front is my son, who always seems to make it into my photos these days. It seemed rude not to include him...
But a photo isn’t really getting to know someone, is it? So, that’s why I thought I’d lay my whole life in front of you in this handy breakdown:
1. Sleeping [33.3% of my life]
2. Working [23.8% of my life]
3. Tidying up after the kids [20.5%]
4. Having fun with the kids [7.1%]
5. Running (to escape from the kids) [3%]
6. Watching anything but kids' TV [8%]
7. Writing [4%]
As you can see, there’s only a little slither of time for writing – right up there at the top. Not that I’m complaining or anything, but hopefully that explains why it has taken 17 years (yup, that’s seventeen) to get these stories down onto digital paper. Hopefully it’ll get quicker with practice…
In the meantime, if you fancy finding out more (or indeed saying hello), then please do. These are the best ways of getting in touch:
Website: jhockley.com
Email: jh@jhockley.com
It may alarm you to notice that there isn’t a link to a Facebook page at this juncture. Sorry about that. As you will see from the infographic, there isn’t any time put aside for social media, and so the Facebook page I did once setup became a desolate waste-ground that wasn’t helpful to anyone. So it got binned. Maybe one day it will get revived, but in the meantime come and visit me at the website or ping me an email – it’d be great to hear from you.
Well, that's what the introvert in me says, but I'm sure we can do better than that, can't we?
First up, there's a picture of me right up there, which is a good start. And yes, I’m the one at the back – where the arrow is pointed. The cut-off mop of blond hair at the front is my son, who always seems to make it into my photos these days. It seemed rude not to include him...
But a photo isn’t really getting to know someone, is it? So, that’s why I thought I’d lay my whole life in front of you in this handy breakdown:
1. Sleeping [33.3% of my life]
2. Working [23.8% of my life]
3. Tidying up after the kids [20.5%]
4. Having fun with the kids [7.1%]
5. Running (to escape from the kids) [3%]
6. Watching anything but kids' TV [8%]
7. Writing [4%]
As you can see, there’s only a little slither of time for writing – right up there at the top. Not that I’m complaining or anything, but hopefully that explains why it has taken 17 years (yup, that’s seventeen) to get these stories down onto digital paper. Hopefully it’ll get quicker with practice…
In the meantime, if you fancy finding out more (or indeed saying hello), then please do. These are the best ways of getting in touch:
Website: jhockley.com
Email: jh@jhockley.com
It may alarm you to notice that there isn’t a link to a Facebook page at this juncture. Sorry about that. As you will see from the infographic, there isn’t any time put aside for social media, and so the Facebook page I did once setup became a desolate waste-ground that wasn’t helpful to anyone. So it got binned. Maybe one day it will get revived, but in the meantime come and visit me at the website or ping me an email – it’d be great to hear from you.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 27, 2026
The book centers on its blend of raw coming‑of‑age grit, imperial oppression, and the spark of mythic destiny. The story follows Alidinia, a small, angry, lost, and saviour of the North, a boy shaped by grief and driven by vengeance after the Empire kills his mother. What begins as a single-minded quest to kill the Emperor slowly widens into something larger as he’s pulled back from the brink by those who see more in him than rage
March 2, 2026
Can Alidinia survive?
Just a child, Alidinia saw his mother killed. See, Alidinia was from the North and sadly, the Emperor had the North under his iron fist. Instead of being taken to his sister, Ali ends up with a Red Cloak, one of the Emperor’s personal guards. However, it’s not like Red Cloak is all that talkative or very good at answering questions either so all Ali knows is that he is supposedly “special” and has unique skills that he will eventually use to free the North.
This is the story of how Ali survives with Red Cloak, and of the skills he learns. The story is exceptionally well written and I was pulled into the story, wanting the same answers as Ali. Once I started reading, I did not stop until I finished the story. I am very curious as to what happens next.
I received an advanced reader’s copy and am voluntarily leaving this review.
Just a child, Alidinia saw his mother killed. See, Alidinia was from the North and sadly, the Emperor had the North under his iron fist. Instead of being taken to his sister, Ali ends up with a Red Cloak, one of the Emperor’s personal guards. However, it’s not like Red Cloak is all that talkative or very good at answering questions either so all Ali knows is that he is supposedly “special” and has unique skills that he will eventually use to free the North.
This is the story of how Ali survives with Red Cloak, and of the skills he learns. The story is exceptionally well written and I was pulled into the story, wanting the same answers as Ali. Once I started reading, I did not stop until I finished the story. I am very curious as to what happens next.
I received an advanced reader’s copy and am voluntarily leaving this review.
December 15, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, which hopefully is a prequel to a new series. Well written, with great world-building, and what looks like an intriguing belief and magic system.
Our hero is a very young boy who has to quickly come to terms with loss, hatred and the need for revenge, During his short life, he has witnessed more than most people will see in a lifetime and has to come to terms with it or perish.
I found the beginning of the story slightly slow, to begin with, but this was necessary to set the scene for the development of our hero. Once I got into the story there was plenty of action and heart-in-the-mouth moments.
I am really hoping there is a series to follow.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Our hero is a very young boy who has to quickly come to terms with loss, hatred and the need for revenge, During his short life, he has witnessed more than most people will see in a lifetime and has to come to terms with it or perish.
I found the beginning of the story slightly slow, to begin with, but this was necessary to set the scene for the development of our hero. Once I got into the story there was plenty of action and heart-in-the-mouth moments.
I am really hoping there is a series to follow.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 1, 2026
I enjoyed this story and meeting Ali, a boy whose mother is killed at the beginning of the story, and slowly learning more about him.. In this first story, I learned along with Ali that he is important but through the eyes of a 12 yr old and while hints of what to come are here, I cannot wait to see what happens next. In this one get to meet a few characters, learn a few secrets, and left wanting more. I laughed a few times, felt sorry for poor Ali, and shook my head too as Ali acts his age at times. but the ending really get to know who he will become as he steps up.
March 3, 2026
The classic tale of an orphan apprenticed to an assassin. At first Ali appears too immature for the 12 year old he is described as, but he quickly matures and this origin story explores his motivations and early training in a very satisfying way.
The world of Godslost is written with enough of an outline to allow the reader to fill in the finer details, but not so much that it slows the pace of the story. This book feels like the perfect way to introduce tweens and young adults to the fantasy/adventure genre.
I look forward to reading more.
The world of Godslost is written with enough of an outline to allow the reader to fill in the finer details, but not so much that it slows the pace of the story. This book feels like the perfect way to introduce tweens and young adults to the fantasy/adventure genre.
I look forward to reading more.
November 14, 2022
BOOK: DISTANT SHADOWS BY JAMES HOCKLEY
BOOK REVIEWER -OKOKO AYEZU TAMARAPREYE
SYNOPSIS
This fictional story is one on the the culture of the people South of the crucible on burials,care for orphans and parents .It explains the role and involvement of the mother and father on the south people's core laws as well as the Northern.I see an Islamic symbol on the cover and I'm tempted to ask the author on the Nexus of this story with Islam if any
BOOK REVIEWER -OKOKO AYEZU TAMARAPREYE
SYNOPSIS
This fictional story is one on the the culture of the people South of the crucible on burials,care for orphans and parents .It explains the role and involvement of the mother and father on the south people's core laws as well as the Northern.I see an Islamic symbol on the cover and I'm tempted to ask the author on the Nexus of this story with Islam if any
December 22, 2022
Ali is saved by Red-Coat, who is a member of the Fatherlast. He instructs Ali on how to use a bow and arrow in the way of the Fatherlast. There is mistrust form Alli and Red-Coat struggles to instruct Ali. We will see how the relationship will progress as Ali will learn that there is more in life than what is first perceived. I am looking forward to the next book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews